China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system

China has taken a significant step towards challenging U.S. dominance in reusable rocket technology with the successful test of an experimental sea-based rocket booster recovery system. State media reported on Friday that the Long March 10B rocket launched from the Hainan commercial space launch site, and its booster was recovered offshore using a net attached to a sea platform.

This successful retrieval of an orbital-class rocket marks a pivotal moment for China's space program, moving the country closer to developing fully reusable rockets. The Long March 10B, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is designed for commercial aerospace and can carry substantial payloads to low-Earth orbit. Unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9, which uses deployable legs for landing, the Long March 10B employs a net-based recovery system.

Shares in Chinese aerospace firms saw a notable increase following the news, with China Spacesat and China Satellite Communications reaching their daily trading limits. This technological advancement is crucial for China's rapidly expanding commercial satellite constellations, as reusable rockets are expected to significantly reduce launch costs.

China has invested nearly a decade in developing reusable rocket technologies, facing setbacks with previous attempts by both private and state-owned firms. The Long March 10 family, which includes the 10B, is also being developed for China's crewed lunar missions planned before 2030. The country plans to reuse the booster stage for another launch by the end of the year, further demonstrating its commitment to this technology.